The Indianapolis Colts beat the Arizona Cardinals in Week 6 and improved to 5-1, but the game was way more dramatic than anyone expected. The Colts needed a fourth-quarter comeback and a last-minute defensive stand to prevent what would have been a massive upset.
While Daniel Jones and the offense scored 30+ points for the fourth time this year, the Indianapolis defense gave up 27 points to the shorthanded Arizona offense. The Cardinals tied their highest scoring total of the season.
The Colts were exposed after an unexpected pre-game injury to No. 1 cornerback Charvarius Ward. Arizona took full advantage of Ward’s absence, who is clearly a necessary part of Lou Anarumo’s defense.
Charvarius Ward’s injury was a game-changing blow to the Indianapolis Colts
In an effort to fix a weak secondary, Indianapolis general manager Chris Ballard signed Ward last offseason, and the former San Francisco 49er has made an instant impact. Through the first five weeks, Ward was Pro Football Focus's (subscription required) third-highest graded cornerback in the league.
Ward was expected to play a major role against the Cardinals before a freak injury knocked him out of the game. During pre-game warmups, Ward suffered a concussion after somehow colliding with tight end Drew Ogletree.
With Ward missing, in addition to longer-term injuries to Kenny Moore II and Jaylon Jones, the Indianapolis secondary had to rely on an unproven trio of corners — Mekhi Blackmon, Jonathan Edwards, and Chris Lammons.
That opened the door for Arizona. The Cardinals moved the ball at will through the air against the Colts’ second-string defensive backs. Backup quarterback Jacoby Brissett threw for 320 yards, while pass-catchers Zay Jones, Trey McBride, and Michael Wilson constantly found open space.
Arizona was able to shred the Colts’ pass defense despite missing starting QB Kyler Murray, losing No. 1 wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. in the first half, and entering the week with a bottom-10 scoring offense.
Indianapolis has been dealing with injuries to its secondary all season, but Ward, in particular, is proving to be a must-have player. In the two games Ward has missed this year, the Colts gave up 27 points or more. In the other four matchups, Indianapolis only conceded that many points once, against the high-powered Los Angeles Rams’ offense.
While Indianapolis survived Arizona, much better offenses are coming up on the schedule. If the Colts barely got past Brissett, how will they fare against Justin Herbert, Aaron Rodgers, and Patrick Mahomes?
The defense desperately needs Ward back soon. However, he will have to get healthy first and recover from his second concussion of the year.